The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh announced Tuesday it is offering eligible faculty and staff a voluntary retirement buyout with a one-time payment equal to 50% of an employee's annual base salary.

UW-Oshkosh becomes the third campus within the UW System to offer buyouts in an effort to reduce its workforce in the face of state budget cuts. UW-Eau Claire was the first, followed last week by UW-Superior.

UW-Oshkosh expects about 100 employees would be eligible. It has set a goal of reducing its workforce by 80 within the next three years.(53)

Whitt: "Thirteen games in, I think he's having a really solid season. To my count, I know you all look at the Pro Stat numbers but they're wrong. He has given up 27 completions on our count that were credited to him. For 13 games, he's been matched up on the top player most of the time. If he's not matched up on the top player, he's where most balls are thrown. We always try to put him in harm's way. I think he's gone three or four games this year without giving up a completion. So he's had a very, very solid year. I'm pleased with him."

Q: Earlier this year, we talked about opposing No. 1 receivers having big days. Since then, not so much. What's working for you guys as a defense with Tramon being a part of that?

Whitt: "Well, even when some other guys had big days, it wasn't because of Tramon. People are doing a good job of getting into situations where he's not on him. But the whole thing when it comes to pass defense is its everybody -- it's the rush, it's the coverage, it's the communication. The young guys that we have are getting better gelling together, understanding the defense, communicating, pre-snap communication, anticipation of motions and our checks when we get the motions. I think we're doing a better job of that and I give a lot of credit to Casey inside at the nickel position, growing and maturing and being a leader. Even though he's a rookie, being a leader inside with the communication. And Morgan always does a great job."

Q: You and Tramon are both competitive guys. Do you take any offense to what Brandon Marshall said this week?

Whitt: "None at all."

Q: Any reaction to that at all?

Whitt: "You know, the great thing about this is we're going to play the game on Sunday. So nothing really needs to be said. We're trying to win a football game. He feels a certain way. Outstanding. We're trying to win a football game. So we're going to do the things that we have to do to win that game."

Q: Marshall had two catches for 24 yards. Was Williams a big part of that?

Whitt: "Oh yeah, Tramon's a really good player. He's going to do what we ask him to do. But like I said, we're going to play the game on Sunday. So any personal opinions about how people feel really doesn't bother us at all because the Green Bay Packers playing the Bears, that's all that's going to matter."

(Journal Sentinel photo by Mark Hoffman)

About Tyler Dunne

Tyler Dunne covers the Green Bay Packers. He has been on the beat since 2011, winning awards with the Pro Football Writers of America and Milwaukee Press Club.